Studies have shown that even small interactions with dogs cause the human brain to produce oxytocin, a hormone often referred to as the “cuddle chemical.” Oxytocin increases feelings of relaxation, trust, and empathy while reducing stress and anxiety.

Spending time with dogs, and even more so petting them and cuddling them, increases your levels of oxytocin. Oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," is a neurotransmitter that calms your nervous system down, relaxing you, whilst also increasing your trust.

Dogs that have a stable home with lots of love and affection are probably happier than dogs that lack these things. What makes a dog happy is the fact that being around its loving owner causes a chemical called oxytocin to be released in their brain. Oxytocin reinforces the happy feelings dogs have when in a good home.

Research shows that playing with a dog can improve one's mood, that reading to a pet can help children with learning development issues, that pets can lessen levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol in their owners, and that having a pet can increase one's physical activity levels, according to the American Heart ...

Dogs are capable of 'crying happy tears' when their owners come home, a new study has found. According to researchers from Azabu University in Japan, our furry friends experience such an overflow of oxytocin (the love hormone) when they reunite with their owners that it causes tears to fill their eyes.

Biologically, dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, leading to a unique social bond. This bond is reinforced through oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone," which is released in both dogs and humans during positive social interactions.

Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. Pets may also decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.

The bulk of emotions that dogs experience are the five core emotions that we humans experience: fear, anger, disgust, joy and sadness. In addition, dogs can feel more nuanced emotions like excitement, distress, contentment, anxiety, shyness, anticipation, and even love.

Yes, dogs can get jealous, but dog trainers say gentle training can help you manage the behavior. If your dog is jealous, they may whine, bark, growl, or push other pets or people away from you. Dogs may get jealous because they don't want to lose your attention and affection to someone else.

While we can't know for sure what goes on in a dog's mind, their behavior suggests that they do find humans endearing and form strong emotional connections with us.